LANNES, lan', Jean, DUKE OF Mow-m=0, marshal of France: b. Lectoure, 11 April 1769; d. Vienna, 31 May 1809. He had a scanty edu cation but his physical prowess caused him to be made sergeant in the battalion of volun teers which he joined in 1792 for service in the war with Spain. He had attained rank as colonel when in 1795 army reforms caused his loss of rank. He re-entered the army as a volunteer and went with Napoleon to Italy, and in 1797 rose to the rank of brigadier-gen eral. He had by this time demonstrated to Napoleon his extraordinary ability for hard ad vanced guard fighting against any odds and the great Corsican thereafter used him re peatedly to prepare the way for his own crush ing attacks. He commanded a brigade in the Egyptian campaign; he accompanied Na poleon to France and distinguished himself at the 18th Brumaire. He was again in command of the advance guard in crossing the Alps in 1800, and at the battle of Montebello so aided Napoleqn that he was created a duke, taking his title from the name of the battle. At Marengo he successfully conducted the hardest fighting. He was Ambassador to Portugal in 1801 and in 1804 he became a marshal of France. At Austerlitz he commanded the ad
vanced guard, and in the campaigns of 1806 07 he rendered signal services. His method at Saalfeld is still studied as a model in the French Staff College. He won further laurels at Jena and at Friedland, then went with Na poleon to Spain as commander-in-chief of a separate army with which he won the battle of Tudela, 22 Nov. 1808. He then engaged in the siege of Saragossa, of which he took posses sion 21 Feb. 1809. Later in 1809 he was again engaged in an Austrian campaign, leading the army across the Danube. Forced to retreat in the battle of Aspern-Essling, 22 May 1809, he exposed himself recklessly, as was his wont, and was wounded, dying at Vienna, 31 May. Napoleon entertained for him a deep affection and was bitterly grieved at his loss. He was one of the ablest of the marshals of France, possessing signal ability for high command, and remarkable daring and strength as a leader. Consult Perin, R., 'Vie Militaire de Jean Lannes' (Paris 1809) ; Thoumas, Marechal Lannes' (1891).